I've been thinking about some things...why we sometimes make it more difficult than it has to be. A large part of it has to do with our unwillingness to surrender to God, to trust Him completely. There are people around me that keep making foolish decisions, ignore counsel, when they KNOW what is right and deliberately refuse. People insist on "settling" into what is comfortable and convenient when they KNOW much better is available. So naive...so sad. And I would posit that it is never "God's will" to be subject to church discipline, to alienate yourself from a church community, to be excited to rush into/planning to sin...
I do not presume to know or understand many things. God is in control and will hold us all to account on how we lived our lives. People can be irrational and sin is always extremely deceitful. Our hearts betray us all the time...and without God's grace and a constant "fight" against selfish sinful desires, I fear we openly sign up for Satan's service, inviting God's "spanking" more than we should.
And when you really begin to scrutinize the way you choose to live, SO MUCH is defined by what you value, and the people who are around you, shaping you...if your closest friends are passionate about Jesus and the Word and loving God's people, you'll start to be that way. On the other hand, if your closest friends prioritize gym, work, and significant other ABOVE spiritual growth...you'll do the same.
At the end of the day, if Jesus isn't at the center, if it's not going to be a spiritual connection we have with each other, then it's not really worth it. Without the Word informing us about how we are to live and relate to one another, we cannot claim to be "GOOD" for each other or that we truly "LOVE" each other because the world knows nothing about that, because only God defines what those are.
We need knowledge of God's Word to even be able to distinguish what is true and what is fraud. Love isn't about feelings...not about physical attraction...not about compatibility. Rather, it's about sacrifice, it's about putting the other above your own selfish needs, it's seeking what's God's best for that person, devotion/commitment to their ultimate good...which includes hating the sin in their life.
And if you're unable to do that for one another, and they're unable to do that for you, is that loving at all?
I pray that God will open up our eyes. First find the sin in your own life. Confess and repent. Then go and help get the sin out of your brother's/sister's life. And really, shame on you if you're the one causing them to stumble.
Live in a way so that when you have to give account, you can say for certain it was done with faithfulness, with love, and that you had their good, God's best in mind.
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Serve the Lord with gladness
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" - Ephesians 6:5-6
This past Sunday was a "full day" event. Our dear Pastor Kurt was leaving for a senior pastorship position in Hickory, North Carolina just as I was becoming a member at Grace. It was a day of bittersweet moments, as I symbolically signaled my "leaving" MBCP and "cleaving" to my new church family and community.
And yet, as I sat and reflected on all that has happened these past few months, I see evidence of God's grace everywhere...how appropriate is that? :)
So as I learn and am eager to grow even more, I'm borrowing a "Kurtism", especially as an encouragement to remind myself with when I feel overwhelmed by the weight of the sin that surrounds us, the deceitfulness and real wickedness that defines our human condition; to serve my Lord faithfully, because I love Him, and to do so with gladness.
Everything I have, including my health, my family, my friends, food, shelter, clothing, the ability to walk, see, hear, feel, and smell (haha) is given to me anew every single day...by God's grace. I am blessed.
Should I feel the least bit of self-pity or despair, shame on me, for I have once again forgotten the goodness of my Savior's love and sacrifice, that I AM NOT MY OWN, but a slave to Christ --> not only is this my duty (Luke 17:10), but it is my honor and privilege and it should be my JOY to serve.
Lord, please forgive me when I slip into "me-mode" and focus on me. Please increase my faith. Show me how I can live and serve you in whatever you place in my path... difficult people, difficult situations...with love, excellence, humility and gladness. :)
Grace and peace to you.
This past Sunday was a "full day" event. Our dear Pastor Kurt was leaving for a senior pastorship position in Hickory, North Carolina just as I was becoming a member at Grace. It was a day of bittersweet moments, as I symbolically signaled my "leaving" MBCP and "cleaving" to my new church family and community.
And yet, as I sat and reflected on all that has happened these past few months, I see evidence of God's grace everywhere...how appropriate is that? :)
So as I learn and am eager to grow even more, I'm borrowing a "Kurtism", especially as an encouragement to remind myself with when I feel overwhelmed by the weight of the sin that surrounds us, the deceitfulness and real wickedness that defines our human condition; to serve my Lord faithfully, because I love Him, and to do so with gladness.
Everything I have, including my health, my family, my friends, food, shelter, clothing, the ability to walk, see, hear, feel, and smell (haha) is given to me anew every single day...by God's grace. I am blessed.
Should I feel the least bit of self-pity or despair, shame on me, for I have once again forgotten the goodness of my Savior's love and sacrifice, that I AM NOT MY OWN, but a slave to Christ --> not only is this my duty (Luke 17:10), but it is my honor and privilege and it should be my JOY to serve.
Lord, please forgive me when I slip into "me-mode" and focus on me. Please increase my faith. Show me how I can live and serve you in whatever you place in my path... difficult people, difficult situations...with love, excellence, humility and gladness. :)
Grace and peace to you.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Rejection
I've been thinking about something recently. Why is it that we often hold such a high view of what other people think of us?
It's always the people we care most about, the ones we make ourselves transparent and vulnerable to, the ones we respect and love, that can really crush our spirits, and send us down a path of despair...and I'm guilty of this "fear of man" as much as you are.
But when you get to the root of it, rejection can be a good thing. I mean, it hurts and can sting really bad, but here's what I've learned:
1) God wants our sole and undivided attention and devotion
2) these people are or are dangerously close to becoming your idols
3) the way you feel/react is much more important
4) these people aren't worthy of that power over you
So what can we do to set proper boundaries, to acknowledge this for what it truly is?
I believe we have to first confess it as sin, that our fear of man and the desire to be needed and cared for by those people has superceded our fear of God. Second, we need to be vigilant and guard our hearts. And lastly, we need to be a lot more flexible and allow for opportunities to be let down without being so disappointed, sad or frustrated.
I know it's hard...but His grace is sufficient for you.
We all live within a community and we're relational by design. Nobody likes being rejected. Nobody wants to be told that they're not likable or pleasant to be around. But hurt doesn't always equal harm, and we have to be discerning about what is good and what is bad, judging our hearts, and our perspectives.
And believe it or not, even when you feel the most lonely, there's always someone around who is more than willing to listen, to relate, to love, and accept you AS YOU ARE. I know it's kinda cheesy, but Jesus loves you and is the only one who is worthy of that "high regard".
Grace and peace to you.
It's always the people we care most about, the ones we make ourselves transparent and vulnerable to, the ones we respect and love, that can really crush our spirits, and send us down a path of despair...and I'm guilty of this "fear of man" as much as you are.
But when you get to the root of it, rejection can be a good thing. I mean, it hurts and can sting really bad, but here's what I've learned:
1) God wants our sole and undivided attention and devotion
2) these people are or are dangerously close to becoming your idols
3) the way you feel/react is much more important
4) these people aren't worthy of that power over you
So what can we do to set proper boundaries, to acknowledge this for what it truly is?
I believe we have to first confess it as sin, that our fear of man and the desire to be needed and cared for by those people has superceded our fear of God. Second, we need to be vigilant and guard our hearts. And lastly, we need to be a lot more flexible and allow for opportunities to be let down without being so disappointed, sad or frustrated.
I know it's hard...but His grace is sufficient for you.
We all live within a community and we're relational by design. Nobody likes being rejected. Nobody wants to be told that they're not likable or pleasant to be around. But hurt doesn't always equal harm, and we have to be discerning about what is good and what is bad, judging our hearts, and our perspectives.
And believe it or not, even when you feel the most lonely, there's always someone around who is more than willing to listen, to relate, to love, and accept you AS YOU ARE. I know it's kinda cheesy, but Jesus loves you and is the only one who is worthy of that "high regard".
Grace and peace to you.
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